Shaheed Capt Bashar Gate square being beautified

A view of Shaheed Captain Bashar Gate in Nilphamari, built on the Independence Day on March 26, 2003. The Zila Parishad has undertaken a scheme to beautify its surrounding area recently. Bashar is in the inset. PHOTO: STAR

The Zila Parishad has started the beautification work recently as per directive of State Minister for Education and Minister-in-Charge of Nilphamari District A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon. The state minister pledged beautification of the spot during inauguration of the gate by octogenarian Shaheed Janani (mother) Rizia Ahmed at a colourful function held on the Independence Day on March 26, 2003.

A memorial stone is also being built here. Names of all war heroes of the district who sacrificed their lives for the cause of independence of Bangladesh including Captain Bashar will be inscribed there.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

Meanwhile, Shaheed Janani has urged the government to take an initiative to find out the grave of her son on the eve of Bashar's 34th martyrdom anniversary tomorrow.

Captain R A M Khairul Bashar fell a martyr on May 29, 1971 in Sher-e-Banglanagar, Dhaka. But the Pakistani occupation army concealed his last remains which is yet to be traced.

To mark his martyrdom anniversary, a milad mahfil and a discussion will be held at the Sabujpara residence of martyr's father Asir Uddin Ahmed, a noted educationist and former headmaster of Nilphamari High English School (now Government Boys' High School) in the district town.

Captain Bashar, former Officer Commanding of Station Supply Depot (SSD), Chittagong was the first army officer in Chittagong Cantonment who dared to hoist the flag of independent Bangladesh atop the perambulator of his baby daughter during the non-cooperation movement in March 1971. He pushed forward his minor daughter's perambulator around the cantonment area and fell in wrath of Pakistani rulers. At that time, he actively resisted the Pakistani soldiers to unload sophisticated arms and ammunition from the ship, 'Swat'. He led the people in erecting road barricades to create obstacle on way to carry the arms and ammunition to the cantonment.

As the commanding officer of SSD, he led his soldiers to drive out the members of Baluch Regiment who besieged the SSD in a foiled bid to capture the depot during the non-cooperation movement.

Bashar was promoted to rank of Major and posted to Pakistan. But instead of serving the Pakistani rulers he preferred to stay in Bangladesh and actively took part in the liberation war. On the fateful night of March 25, he came out of his cantonment residence along with his minor daughter and pregnant wife. He actively got involved himself in the liberation war.

At that time, people were asked, through Chittagong radio, to rally round young Bengali army officers including Captain Bashar. He fed the fighting Bengali soldiers from his own pocket for a remarkable period. He also shot down a Pakistani army helicopter in Halishahar area which created great enthusiasm among the Bengali fighters. People of Halishahar and surrounding areas still remember his bravery with gratitude.